“Yes. I agree.” I put her fingers to my mouth and place a gentle kiss against them before having to move aside for the newly arrived food.
“If only the body had been found. You would have nailed that guy’s ass.”
“Definitely.”
She lapses into a frustrated silence and stares at her plate. Usually, I wouldn’t take any action so soon after yesterday’s work but I foresee a business trip in my future. Angel won’t be able to sleep well until it’s resolved. The injustice will eat at her. This is why I do what I do. Someone has to keep the balance. A crime committed needs to be punished or people suffer, and in this case, my wife suffers and that’s not acceptable.
I can’t make her happy every moment of the day. I know that’s not possible, but I do see it as my duty to remove as many obstacles in her path as I can. This is one bump that can be taken care of easily.
“Let’s not talk about it anymore,” she announces, picking up her fork. “How was your day?”
“Not worth talking about while we eat.” She’s not squeamish but she doesn’t need the gory details either.
Angel wrinkles her nose adorably. “That bad, huh? I’m sorry I brought up the case.”
“Don’t be. I always want to hear your stories. You have a deposition tomorrow?”
“Yes, but it’s just a boring motor vehicle accident. It’s with that Smith lawyer and she’s pretty efficient. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours there and then a few more transcribing it.”
The rest of her week is busy as well.
“I’m going to have to go out of town for a few days. No more than forty-eight hours, I think. There’s a case down in Burdock County that sheriff wants me to look into.”
Angel’s pretty round face falls. Her lower lip juts out in a way that makes me want to bend forward and bite it. I know how she tastes–sweet and tart.
“Really? An overnight trip? That sucks for you.”
“You should have your sister over.” I don’t like the idea of her staying alone.
“Oh, that’s a good idea. She’s learning to knit, did you know that? Maybe she can teach me and I can make you a hat for winter.”
“Maybe she can teach both of us and I can make you a hat for winter.”
Angel bursts out laughing. “I can’t see it,” she cries.
I wiggle my fingers. “I’m very good with my hands. You’ve said it yourself–that I have sinfully talented fingers.”
Her laughter is replaced with a blush. “I don’t think the skills you use with your knife are the same that you use with knitting.”
“We’ll have to test it out. I’ll finger you tonight until you come and then we’ll both get knitting lessons.”
Her eyes dart around and she mutters, “Lucas, there are other people here in the restaurant.”
“I know. It’s a damn shame. Eat up, darling. I’m hungry for something else and since you are opposed to me publicly fucking you, we’ll have to wait until we get home for me to feed that particular appetite.”
Her cheeks turn even rosier and, more importantly, away from the serial killer husband who is enjoying his freedom. “Promises, promises,” she says.
“And I always deliver.”
Chapter Four
Angel
“Don’t get those. I’ll make them.” I take the premade cookies from my sister’s hands, putting them back. She’s spending the night with me since Lucas is away on business. I hate when he has to leave on these trips but know that it’s a part of his job. My husband is one of the best coroners in the state and I know he is needed in some cases to put bad men away where they belong. I get it, so I try to hide my disappointment when he does have to leave. I remind myself that it’s for the good of the world. He is out serving justice. Putting bad people where they belong and giving solace to families that need it.
“You just want to make the cookies so you don’t have to knit.” Okay. That might be what I’m doing.
“Fresh cookies are better,” I try and justify.
“Look. It says here they made them today.” She points at the printed label on the plastic container. “They make them fresh right back there.” She nods toward the bakery section of the store.
“Mine are made with love.” Maybe now they’ll also have a little bit of spite because she called me out.
“Su-re,” she drawls, fighting a smile. I love to cook. Desserts are my favorite. It is one of two things that always puts me in a good mood. The other is too far away to use that mouth of his on me. The one that always leaves me with a smile on my face. Desserts and a loving husband. What more could a girl want?